Public Relations

LPN-to-RN Transition Track has openings

            BENTONVILLE (July 26, 2007) – A limited number of openings remain for an LPN-to-RN Transition Track, one of three available in the Nursing program at NorthWest Arkansas Community College. The new track, beginning this fall, represents a joint pilot partnership between Northwest Technical Institute and NWACC.

            As of last week, 11 LPNs have applied for the track, said Elaine Holloway NWACC’s Director of Nursing Education.

            “We anticipate enrolling 20 students into this pilot venture,” Holloway said. “Most of the 11 applicants have completed their general education courses.”

            The track is for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) who want to become Registered Nurses and will be taught at NTI.

            Students will receive a pass/fail grade. Those passing will then enroll into two nursing courses in Spring 2008 and complete the two final courses in summer 2008. Graduation for these Transition students is slated for late August 2008.

            The pilot course this fall will be taught by Barbara Maybury, RN, MSN, a founding nursing instructor at NWACC.

            The nursing program has historically accepted 40 first-year students each fall into its Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) Traditional Track.

            The program this past spring accepted 42 of over 160 applicants, Dean of Health Professions Dr. Monte Gagliardi said last week. The class begins August 20, 2007 and students will be slated to graduate in May 2009.

            The 42 new students will bring the number of nursing students attending NWACC to approximately135 enrolled in three tracks: the Traditional Track, Access Nursing (the accelerated track), and a new LPN-to-RN Transition Track hosted jointly by NTI and NWACC.

For questions/comments on this content, please contact Jim Hall at jhall@nwacc.edu